Video: Using Flash video presets

So here we are back in Flash and in this movie we're going to talk about video presets. Now if you remember when we last left Flash, we had chosen to import video using the Import Wizard, pointed to the QuickTime file we want to import, and determined that we were going to use progressive download from a Web server. Now when we continue on to the next screen, we see all kinds of options. We're going to look at these options so you can consciously choose the best options for your project, but there's times where you just quickly need to crank out video for a specific project and these presets are wonderful for that. For example if you're creating a Flash application, you just need to put a video file into it for the general public.

Flash has become one of the most popular ways to publish video on the web. It enables rich media experiences, custom playback controls, and top-notch quality. In Flash CS3 Interactive Video Techniques, instructor Chris Florio highlights the tools non-programmers need to add video to projects. He also covers techniques for creating interactive video with ActionScript, including how to use cue points, dynamic masks, and custom controls. Flash CS3 Interactive Video Techniques makes integrating video a snap for everyone from novice Flash users wanting to know supported file formats to advanced Flash developers looking to create masking videos. Exercise files accompany the course.

Topics include:

Using video in Flash with an alpha channel
Working with hardware and multiprocessor acceleration
Creating custom controls in three different ways
Setting FLV parameters with ActionScript
Understanding the difference between embedded video and progressive download
Accessing NetStream metadata

Using Flash video presets

So here we are back in Flash and in this movie we're going to talk about video presets.Now if you remember when we last left Flash, we had chosen to import video using the Import Wizard,pointed to the QuickTime file we want to import,and determined that we were going to use progressive download from a Web server. Now when we continue on to the next screen,we see all kinds of options.We're going to look at these options so you can consciously choose the best options for your project, but there's times where you just quicklyneed to crank out video for a specific project and these presets are wonderful for that.For example if you're creating a Flash application, you just need to put a video file into it for the general public.

A good general choice might be Flash 8, medium quality, 400 kb a second.The two main things that the different presets determine are the data rate of your video, which will determine the file sizeand quality of the video,and whether the video will use an older type of compression that was found in the Flash Playeror a newer and higher quality compression that requires the user to have at least the Flash 8 Player.Unless you're required by the parameters of the job to develop for the Flash Player, you'll usually get better quality and smaller videofiles using the Flash 8 presets.Higher data rates produce larger files that look better so choose a rate that's based on the expected connection speed ofyour audience and how patient you think they'll be if they have to wait for the video before it plays.

For example, if you choose to compress your video at 400 kb per second and you user has a 400 K connection, then they should see thevideo immediately and be able to watch it in real time.However, if they only have a 40 K connection, they'll have to wait 10 seconds for every second of your video file.If you intend to use these presets, it would be a good idea to take a short video file that you're very familiar with and make a number ofcopies of the file using the different presetsand look at the resulting file qualities and sizes and see which ones work best for you.We'll talk about working with Flash video and DV later on when we talk about H.264 and the latest Flash Player.

For now, you probably want to stay away from these bottom two choices.Even if you plan to customize the settings for your video rather than use one of these presets, it may be helpful to startby choosing one of the presets that's closest to the settings you wantand then modify individual settings with the controls and the other tabs in this window.Once you're more comfortable of all the various settings for Flash video, you can make your own video presets for the typeof Flash files that you use. We'll look more at these settings in the next movie, starting with compression settings.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

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Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
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